Posted by Stephen Kuzner

By Stephen Kuzner - WFD Fan Correspondent

You hear it over and over from those that cover or support Real Madrid: Barcelona is dependant on Lionel Messi. Barca is Messi-dependant. When Messi doesn't perform, Barca doesn't perform. How do you stop Barcelona? Just stop Messi. They are sooo dependant on him. The thought process seems to be, "Look see. Messi scored a goal. They are dependent on him." This logic kind of drives me nuts. It's as if the team that recorded the most points in La Liga history last year has a co-dependant relationship with the world's greatest player. Is Messi a drug? Is Messi's health and form an unfair thing? Maybe we hear this because the world's other best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, wasn't fit a good bit of last year and Real Madrid won no trophies. Describing a team as dependant on a single player in an eleven-a-side game doesn't really respect the other players on the field.



Messi-dependence is a myth.

Let's take a look at the numbers. This year Messi has 14 out of Barcelona's 38 goals across 16 games between La Liga, Champions League, and Spanish Cup. That leaves 24 goals form the rest of the team. This sounds more like Messi is Barcelona's leading scorer than a crutch. If we take a look over at Madrid, Ronaldo has 15 out of Madrid's 39 goals in 16 games across all competitions. These are near identical numbers. The conclusion? Barcelona without Messi probably would lose to Madrid and Madrid without Ronald likely goes down to Barcelona. Losing one of the two best players in the world would hurt any team. But, it doesn't necessarily mean they are dependant. Look at Madrid last year. Sure, Barcelona won the title, but Madrid had the second most points ever. Every other La Liga team in history would have finished at best second last year.

Further proof is in Barcelona's squad. Without Messi, Barca's Best 11 is Valdés, Abidal, Piqué, Puyol, Alves, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, Pedro, Villa, and Krkic. Isn't this pretty much the same team that just won the World Cup with Spain? These guys were hardly Messi-dependant over the summer. The past two weeks, these guys are starting to wake-up from their World Cup hang-over. Messi picked-up their slack in the beginning. Just to be fair, Madrid's Best 11 without Ronaldo is Casillas, Marcelo, Carvalho, Pepe, Ramos, Alonso, Özil, Khedira, di María, Higuaín, and Leon. That's a squad that could win La Liga or any other league in the world. It's funny to hear the spin that Madrid's cakewalk of an early season fixture list is fortunate for developing chemistry and not a dependence.

Messi is clutch. Superstars should be clutch. So have been Pedro, Iniesta, Krkic, and Villa throughout their careers. If Messi doesn't step-up, someone else will. Slowing-down Messi does not mean stopping Barcelona.



How do you stop Barcelona?

Surprise, ensnare, entrap, and attack. Hercules did it this year. Last season in the Champions League, Mourinho's Inter Milan ambushed Barcelona on the counter-attack and defended bravely. Barcelona can be beaten by waylaying their possession and attacking their high backline. To beat Barcelona, interrupt and limit their possession, thus reducing their opportunities. This is easier said than done.






If you have feedback, email me at skuzner@gmail.com or Facebook me.